Setting

Participants

2686 elderly people 65–85 years of age (mean age 75 y, 76% men) who were living in the general community. Exclusion criteria
included current use of vitamin D3 supplements and contraindications to vitamin D3 supplementation such as a history of renal stones, sarcoidosis, or malignancy.

Intervention

Participants, stratified by age and sex, were allocated to supplementation with oral vitamin D3, 100 000 IU (n=1345) or placebo (n=1341). 1 capsule was sent to participants by post every 4 months for 5 years (total of
15 doses). Participants were asked to take the capsule immediately on receipt, complete a form indicating that they had done
so, and return the form by Freepost.

Main outcome measures

Main results

Analysis was by intention to treat. At 5 years, 268 participants (10%) had incident fractures, and 471 (18%) had died. The
rates for first fracture at any site or for a fracture occurring in the hip, wrist, forearm, or vertebrae were lower in the
vitamin D3 group than in the placebo group (table). The groups did not differ for all cause mortality (table)

Conclusion

Commentary

Associate Professor, College of Nursing Site Co-Representative, Canadian Cochrane Network and Centre University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

The number of fractures among older adults is likely to increase as populations age.1 Trivedi et al showed that supplementation with oral vitamin D3 (100 000 IU every 4 mo) may prevent fractures in elderly men and women living in the general community. These results differ
from a previous study, which reported that vitamin D3 did not decrease the incidence of hip or other peripheral fractures in elderly people.2 As well, a recent review, which did not include Trivedi et al, concluded that it is unclear whether vitamin D3 alone reduces fractures.3 However, vitamin D3 taken with additional calcium supplements does appear to reduce fracture risk,4 and the study by Trivedi et al makes an important contribution to this body of research.

Whereas previous studies have included primarily women, Trivedi et al included a large number of men. However, only 32% of invited participants agreed to participate, and 83% were physicians.
The modest response rate and the large number of physicians and men included in the study may limit the generalisability of
the findings as the sample does not represent most comunity populations.

The results of this study are relevant to community and public health nurses who work with older adults. Nurses could also
recommend fall prevention strategies given that 10% of falls in the elderly result in fractures. Hazard assessments, muscle
strengthening and balance retraining exercises, Tai Chi exercises, and the withdrawal of psychotropic medications have been
shown to be effective in reducing falls.5 Additional research is needed to further support the effectiveness of community fracture prevention programmes that include
vitamin D3 supplementation.